Discovering Truths by B. Benfield (chrysanthemum read aloud .TXT) 📕

was a shocking sight to see. All the lights were off downstairs and the house was quiet, so I continued up to my room to change clothes. The room was warm and steamy from the shower running.

“Hello?” Marcus said from behind the curtain.

“Hey, yeah it’s me.” I said. You dumbass.

“I figured. How are you?” he asked.

“I’m fine. Why are you in the shower?”

“Last minute dinner meeting.”

“Oh. Guess it’s a good thing I didn’t plan on cooking.”

“How was your day?” he asked.

“It was fine. Had that interview.”

“Crap. I forgot about that. How did it go?”

“I think it went okay.” I said. I thought it went more than okay, but he didn’t care anyway, so why bother?

“Anything else happen today?” he asked.

“Um, no? What are you talking about?”

“Just curious if you did anything else today.”

“I went to work, Marcus. If you have something to say, spit it out.”

“Todd said he passed you today. Your work is nowhere near where he saw you…so I was just curious what you were doing out close to Cocoa Beach.”

My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach and fear took over. How dare he question me? I should’ve questioned him a long time ago, but I let it slide. Now here he was, taking a shower for a “dinner meeting,” that probably didn’t even exist, yet he had the audacity to accuse me? I had to talk myself out of this one, although I wanted to tell him just where he could shove his accusations.

“I was running an errand for my boss. You know, my title is Administrative Assistant. I do whatever he freaking tells me to do.”

“Why are you getting so defensive?”

“Why are you asking stupid questions? The way you said it and kept dragging me along was like you were trying to get me to admit to something. What’s with the accusations?”

The accusations were a result of his own guilt. I knew that.

“I wasn’t accusing, I was simply asking. You’re the one causing an uproar.”

“Because, Marcus! You’re home late almost every single night! Now you’re taking a shower to go to another damn work meeting, and I never question you! Never!” I yelled. I’d never felt so crazy in my life. He’d pushed me to this point and I didn’t know how much more I could actually take. I was losing it now, but when would I fully explode?

“I didn’t mean to question you, or accuse you, Abby.” Bullshit. That’s exactly what you were doing.

“Well, it sure sounded like it to me.”

He didn’t say another word. I ripped my clothes off and threw them in the basket. I was beyond livid. I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that he wanted to accuse me, when he was just as deceitful. Sure, I lied about my whereabouts, but it was exactly what he’d been doing for who knows how long. Our relationship had become one huge lie…it had to end soon. This madness couldn’t continue.

“Do you want me to stop and get you something to eat on the way home?” he asked as he came down the stairs. I was planted on the couch with my tablet, browsing the news…trying to deter my mind from thoughts of him.

“No.” I said sharply. He’d never asked before, why bother now? I’d be asleep by the time he got home anyway.

“Abby, don’t be mad.” He pleaded.

“Just stop. I’m done talking about it.”

He left without another word.

Chapter Thirty

 

We made it through the rest of the week with hardly ten words shared between us. In my mind, I was done with Marcus, but for some reason, I didn’t want to be the one to end our marriage. I wanted it to be him. Maybe if I continued to ignore him, eventually he’d take the hint and make the move. I wished I had the courage to take action, but in the pit of my stomach sat a fear that had taken over my mind. Why do I have to be this way? Why can’t I just be a normal person?

Upon arriving to work Thursday morning, I started my normal routine with first, checking my e-mail. The top message on my list was from HR. I knew immediately that this e-mail held my fate. It was the decision for the position. Nerves took over as I hovered the mouse over the link, finally forcing myself to click it.

Abigail West,

 

We are pleased to offer you the position of Underwriting Manager with Security Financial. The training program for this position begins Monday, August 27th for five weeks at our headquarters in Atlanta. Travel, lodging, and food will be paid for by the company. The starting salary is $70,500. Please respond promptly and you will receive further information regarding your training.

 

Thank you,

 

Mary Watson

Security Financial HR

 

The squeal that escaped my lips was unstoppable. I did it! I got the job! The training program started the following Monday, not giving me much time to prepare, or decide if I wanted to accept the offer…but of course I did! I was over the moon. Besides a change in my personal life, this is exactly what I needed. I need something more. Considering I only started making money a year ago, I was thrilled with the salary. That’d definitely be enough for me to make it on my own…if I ever got to that point. Before I replied to the e-mail, or shared the news with anyone, I had to talk to Mike. I burst into his office immediately.

“I got the job!” I exclaimed

He smiled. “I know you did.”

“You knew?”

“Of course I did.”

“Did they tell you?”

“No, I just knew you would get it.”

“Oh stop,” I said, sitting down. “You have too much faith